Issue date: Dec 12, 1999

In this article:
Shelters are bring in additional adopters
How to pick the right pet for you

How much is that doggie on the Webcam?
In a competitive pet market, shelters focus on service to attract adopters -- even showcasing animals online.

By Brenda Biondo

utting some of their cutest canines and cats on the Internet is just one way animal shelters are reaching out to potential pet owners. A growing number also are extending their services by offering obedience classes, pet supplies, even on-site veterinary care.

Since August, the Pennsylvania SPCA shelter in Philadelphia has found homes for every one of more than 50 dogs showcased on its Web site, using live Internet cameras. And Web browsers are biting. Two dozen shelters nationwide, from Bothell, Wash., to Nicholasville, Ky., now use Web cameras, and more than 30 others soon will.

"More and more shelters are adding these types of programs," says Cindy Stitely of the Humane Society of the United States.

Shelters face tough competition. Nearly half of U.S. households have pets, but only 15% are from shelters. Most people use breeders, classified ads or a network of co-workers, family and friends to find their pets. That leaves 8 million animals in 4,000-plus shelters every year. Overcrowding can be a problem. Shelters must euthanize millions of animals each year to make room for more.

While the number of no-kill shelters has grown to several hundred, "shelters are becoming more customer service-oriented" to to bring in additional adopters, says Stitely.

How they do it:

Play matchmaker. Shelters can help you find a pet that fits your lifestyle and expectations. About 25% of dogs and cats are purebreds; average age: 9 months to 5 years. Some shelters offer ferrets, birds, rabbits, even pigs. Shelter workers say many pets land in shelters because their owners don't know how to manage them. Other reasons: allergies, moves. Many shelters now provide areas where pets and people can mingle without distractions. Another option: Adoptable dogs and cats from local shelters are available on weekends at many PETCO and PETsMART stores.

For Dawn Boyd, 27, of Aurora, Colo., meeting with an "adoption counselor" at the Denver Dumb Friends League confirmed she could handle a rambunctious puppy. When she saw a 10-week-old St. Bernard-lab mix, says Boyd, "I didn't need to look at any others."

Medical care. Veterinarians often provide neutering services at shelters. Adoption fees, which average $50-$75 for cats and dogs, usually include neutering -- if not on site, then at a local vet's office. Some shelters provide shots free and treat animals for a short period after the adoption.

Free pet-"parenting" classes. To ensure that love at first sight turns into a lasting relationship, many shelters offer these classes and, for a small fee, dog obedience classes. The Marin Humane Society in Novato, Calif., offers several classes a month, from "Kinderpuppy" to "Street Smarts." New pet owners can visit the humane society's free drop-in pet clinic.

Advice. Many shelters also operate telephone support lines. The Animal Humane Society in Minneapolis advises more than 1,000 callers a year on such issues as scratching, jumping and barking. "People are relieved to find out these are solvable problems," says the society's Judy Dworkin. And because happy owners are less likely to give up their pets, the animals must be relieved, too.

Brenda Biondo has a soft spot for her adopted lab-chow mix, Lucy.

Go to the top

• Kids. Children 6 and under do best around animals older than 4 months.
• Time. If you're away from home six hours or more a day, an adult pet is your best bet.
• Traits. An advantage of an adult animal: personality is apparent. Ditto for size.
• Training. Dogs and cats of any age are trainable.
• Puppy-proof your house. Young animals are likely to chew and scratch your belongings